Church Be Nimble: Organizational Dynamics and Creativity in Mainline Congregations

It matters very little whether God is still speaking or the world is radically changing if churches continue to organize themselves to always do what they've always done. Life in infinitely creative. New ideas are routinely generated by good and gifted people prompted by circumstances and motivated by aspirations of faithful discipleship. But new ideas lose their luster and life-giving potential when they are assigned to a committee, subjected to parliamentary protocol, controlled by command, and wrapped up in the red tape of policies and procedures. What chance do fresh breezes of the Spirit have in the face of systems designed to withstand even the mightiest winds of change? There is a better way, one that requires moving beyond machine models of organizational life into a new paradigm that values churches as living systems capable of adaptive reorganization in response to changes, challenges, and choices. Rather then clinging anxiously to the way things have always been, living churches reach toward abundant life with zest and a sense of adventure that inspire genuine wonder and awe. Drawing on insights from organizational innovators in a variety of specializations, this book invites churches to become organizationally nimble by clearing away bureaucratic clutter and boldly engaging emerging possibilities. It helps churches organize for now and not forever, and provides a way for meaningful ministry to maintain or reclaim its place at the top of every congregation's list of things to do today.